Selector tuning device



0% 1930. .1. o. PRESCOTT 1,783,671

SELECTOR TUNING DEVICE Filed Nov. 22, 1929 FIG. 8

F lNVENTOR JOHN C. PRESCOTT I ATTOR N EY Patented Dec. 2, 1930 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE JOHN 0. PRESCOTT, OF GLENBROOK, CONN ECTICUT, ASSIGNOR TO COLUMBIA PHD NO? GRAPH COMPANY, INC., OF BRIDGEPORT, CONNECTICUT, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK SELECTOR TUNING nEvIcE Application filed November 22, 1952b. Serial No. 409,007.

This invention relates to'automatic radio station selector means.

An object of the invention is to provide means whereby a station may be quickly and easily tuned in, the means visually indicating to the operator that a station is properly tuned in.

Another object is to provide a means. as

stated including means for displaying the call letters of the station as the same is tuned in.

A further object is to provide a radio dial and associated means for treating the dial when a' station has been tuned in on a set associated with the dial, the treatment of the dial-being such that the tuning in of such' station w1ll be instantly noted when the dial is again manipulated for that purpose.

Another object is to provide means for treating a radio dial whereby the proper position of the dial for tuning in various Stations will be readily Visible on thedial, the means or-method of treatin such that the dial may again be treated to the dial being remove the effects of the first treatment, whereby it may be re-treated for the same purpose.

A further object of the invention is to provide a radio dial including an opaque portion in combination with means for treating said opaque portion at desired points to form transparent or translucent lines which, when properly positioned relative to any suitable indicating means, will show that a station is properly tuned in. I

Another object is to provide a radio dial including a transparent or translucent portion in combination with means for forming opaque lines .on said portion at desired intervals, whereby when said dial is manipfollowing detailed description taken in con-' nection with the accompanylng drawing. In this description and drawing preferred and satisfactory embodiments of the invention are described and shown but it is to be understood that these are purely for the purpose of disclosing the principles of construct1on and operation of the invention, and that the invention is not limited to the arrangements disclosed, but that reference must be had to the annexed claims for a definition of the limitations of, the invention.

In the drawing Fig. 1 is a view of a portion of a radio dial showing the same associated with a gransparent or open escutcheon plate win- Fig. 2 is a view detached of the escutcheon plate of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is an elevational view ofa markmg means for placing an opaqueline on the dial of Fig. 1, such lineindicating the proper position for tuning in a station;

Fig. 4 is a plan view of the arrangement shown in Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is aview somewhat similar to Fig. 1, but showinga dial, a porton of which is opaque; j

Fig. 6 is a view of theescutcheon plate window of Fig. 5; v y

Fig. 7 is an elevational view of the means for treating the opaque surface on the dial of Fig. 5 to form a translucent or transparent line thereon for the purpose of indicating when astation is tuned. in; and

Fig. 8 is a plan view of the arrangement shown in Fig. 7; I

In the specification the word dial is used in the ordinary sense in which it is used in the radio art. That is it indicates a circular disc, or a section of a band on the periphery of a rotatable drum, or a film which may be moved in a flat plane.

Referring in detail to the drawing at 10 is shown a portion of a radio dial which may be of my preferred construction butwhich is shown as that of the drum type. This dial may be formed of translucent or transparent material and may be of celluloid, paper, or any other suitable substance. Dial 10 has the usual graduated markings 11 shown along shown) as is well known in the art, and passes in the rear'of an escutcheon plate window 12 having indicating notches 13 therein for cooperation with the dial 10 to show where a station is tuned in on a radio set associated with the dial.

For the purpose of the present invention, the dial 10 is preferably divided into three zones numbered respectively 14, 15 and 16. Zone 14 contains the graduations 11, while zone 16 is adapted to have the signal or indicator markings placed thereon and zone 15 is provided in order that the operator may write in the station call letters at the various proper points along the dial.

Figs. 3 and 4 show one form of means for locating stations on the dial 10. In the operation of this device the set is tuned to bring in sharply the desired station, and the mechanism of Figs. 3 and 4 is operated to make a mark in the zone 16 whereby when the dial is again manipulated and this mark brought opposite the pointer or indicator notches 13, the same station will again be sharply tuned in.

For accomplishing this purpose the mechanism includes a pencil, crayon or other marker point 17 secured to or formed with a bar 18 mounted on stationary guides 19 whereby the bar moves in a straight path. A cam 20 mounted on shaft 21 is provided for the purpose of moving the bar 18 in one direction. As shown cam 20 has three high points, and one of these points will be brought into engagement with a pin 22 on the bar 18. The normal position of the bar is shown in full lines in Fig. 3 and when the cam 20 is rotated by means of a handle or knob 23, one of its arms will engage the pin 22 and move the bar from the full line position of Fig. 3 to the dot-ted line position of thatfigure. This distance of movement of the marker is equal to the width of zone 16.

Means are provided for returning the bar 18 to its normal position, and to this end a pin 24 is carried by the bar and one end of a coil spring 25 is secured to this pin while the other end of said spring is secured to a corresponding pin 26 fixed to one of the guides or brackets 19. It will be apparent that when the knob 23 is given a partial rotation, one of the arms of the cam 20 will engage pin 22 and move the bar 18 forwardly. As soon as the high point of the particular arm or section of the cam which is engaging the pin 22 passes the pin, the spring 25 will act to draw the bar 18 back to an inoperative position.

In the present instance the dial 10 is preferably of translucent or transparent material and the escutcheon plate window 12, may be open or covered by transparent material. Therefore when a station is tuned in, and the bar 18 is reciprocated as previously described, the pencil or crayon 17 will make a mark on the dial, the mark being in the form of a straight line. After this has been done the call letters of the particular station may be written in pencil in the zone 15 opposite the line that has been drawn and this operation may be repeated until the selected stations are catalogued. When it is next desired to tune in any of these stations it is but necessary to move the dial until one of the lines in the zone 16, representing the selected station, is opposite the indicator notch 13.

In Figs. 5 and 6 a somewhat different arrangment is shown. Here the dial 27 is divided into three zones, 28, 29 and 30, the zones corresponding respectively with the zones 14, 15 and 16 of Figs. 1 and 3. However, the zone 30 is rendered opaque or substantially so by the use of any removable opaque material applied to the one surface of the said zone. If desired, the corresponding surface 31 of an escutcheon plate window 32 (Fig. 6) may be also rendered opaque except for the narrow slot shown.

Means similar to that shown in Figs. 3 and 4 may be used in connection with the dial such as shown in Fig. 5, a scratching or scraping point 33 being substituted for the marking point 17. As shown in Figs. 7 and 8, this scratching or cutting point 33 is carried by bar 34 similar to the bar 18 of Figs. 3 and 4 and also similarly mounted in guides or brackets 35 fixed to any suitable support.

Of course the bar 34 is mounted for reciprocatory movement in the guides 35 and means are provided for imparting such movement to the bar. As shown this means takes the form of a cam 36 mounted on a shaft 37 on which is also provided a knob or button 38 for manipulatlng the cam and shaft. Cam 36 has an arcuate notch 39 in which is received a pin 40 on the bar 34.

O'ne surface of the zone 30 being coated with an opaque removable substance, it is obvious that after a station has been properly tuned in, manipulation of the knob 38 to operate the cam 36 will move the bar 34 from the full line position of Fig. 7 to the dotted line position of that figure. The cam may then be manuall actuated through the knob 38 to return the ar to its normal position, or spring means may be provided as shown. This spring means comprises a pin 41 carried by the bar 40 and having one end of a spring 42 anchored thereto, the other end of the spring being anchored to a pin 43 carried by one of the stationary guides or brackets 35.

Movement of the scraper or scratcher point 33 across the opaque zone 30 serves to re-.

move a portion of the opaque material, formmg a hne or scratch through said material to the surface of the dial 27. This operation of tuning a station in and cataloging it 'on the dial 27 by scratching a line through the opaque coating or zone 30 is repeated until all the desired stations are catalogued on the dial, each station being represented by a scratch through the opaque coating on the rear surface of the zone 30 of the dial. The call letters for the respective stations may be written on the zone 29 opposite the scratches to which they .apply. Now, when it is again desired to tune in any particular station, dial 27 is manipulated to bring the line or scratch representing the selected station to a point opposite the pointer or notch indicator 13 of the escutcheon plate window in connection with which the dial is being used.

While in the foregoing description the parts have been described in detail and with relation to particular combinations, it will be apparent that various combinations of parts may be easily worked out.

For example, the escutcheon plate window 31 may be used in connection either with the dial 27 or the dial 10, and the same cam means may be used for operating either the scratcher or scraper, or the marker such as a pencil or crayon. Should an escutcheon plate window such as shown in Fig. 6 be used with a dial such as 10, then owing to the presence of a continuously burning light 44 in the rear of the dial, the illumination will be visible through the slot in the opaque portion 4] of the escutcheon plate 32 at all times except when a station is tuned in. When the marked portion of the dial 10 comes opposite the opening in the opaque portion 31 of the escutcheon plate 32, no light will be visible through the slot and it will be-apparent that a station is tuned in. Also the dial 27 could be used with different types of escutcheon plates.

In connection with the present invention it is desired to point out that should there be any changes in the broadcasting stations such as the assignment'of new Wave lengths and the like, the markings on the dial 10 may be erased and the new markings made or in the case of the dial 27, the surface of zone 30 might again be coated with some opaque substance to cover up the original scratchesor lines and new scratches or lines made to correspond with the new selections or locations of stations.

When the dial is entirely translucent, it is preferable that the mark be made thereon with a pencil or other means in such a way that the marks may be erased if it is desired to obliterate any particular selection or all the selections. The translucent material of the dials 10 or 27 may be ofany substance which may be rendered more or less opaque or imperfectly translucent by a coating or treatment, the eii'ect of which is efl'aceable.

An example of such substance is celluloid or the like coated with a removable dark lacquer or shellac; or fibrous translucent material coated with carbon particles; or any other translucent material which may be rendered more or less opaque by fumes or other coating which does not penetrate, and may be scraped or wiped off, or dissolved off by any volatile or non-volatile substance. 4

Having thus described the invention what is claimed is i 1. In combination, a movable radio dial, and means associated with the dial to visual ly indicate thereon the location of a station When a radio set with which the dial is associated has been properly tuned in on said station, said means including a reciprocating marker associated with the dial and movable transversely thereacross.

2. In combination, a movable radio dial, and means associated with the dial to mark thereon the location of a station when a radio set with which the dial is associated has been properly tuned in on said station, said means including a slidable marker movable transversely across the dial.

3. In combination, a radio dial, and means associated with the dialto mark thereon the location of a station when a radio set with which the dial is associated has been properly tuned in on said station, said means including a slidable marker movable transversely across the dial, and manually operable means to slide said marker in a direction transversely of the dial.

4. In combination, a radio dial, and means associated with the dial to mark thereon the location of a station when a radio set with which the dial is associated has been properly tuned in on said station, said means including a slidable marker movable transversely across the dial, manual means to move the marker in one direction, and spring means for returning the marker to normal position.

5. In combination, a radio dial having translucent portion, and means adapted to be moved across said translucent portion of the dial after a radio receiving set with which the dial is associated has been tuned in on a station to mark said translucent portion and render the same less translucent to indicate the location of a particular broadcasting station on the dial.

6. In combination. a movable radio dial. a source of light in the rear of said dial and visible through a portion thereof. a line on said portion through which the light is not visible said line indicating the location of a broadcasting station on the dial, and indicator means associated with said dial. the whole being arranged whereby when the dial is moved to bring the line opposite the indicator means a station is tuned in.

7. The combination as in claim 2 including cam means to slide the marker.

8. The combination as in claim 2 including cam means to move the marker in one direction and spring means. to operate it in the opposite direction.

9. In combination, a rotatable radio dial substantially in the form of a drum, means reciprocatable across a face of the dial to treat the same to indicate thereon the location of a station, and means to operate said means.

10. In combination, a rotatable radio dial substantially in the form of a drum, means reciprocatable across a face of the dial to treat the same to indicate thereon the location of a station, manual means to move the means in one direction, and spring means to return the means to normal position.

11. In combination, a rotatable radio dial substantially in the form of a drum, means reciprocatable across a face of the dial to treat the same to indicate thereon the locato treat the same to indicate thereon the location of a station, manual means to move the reciprocatable means in one direction,

said manual means including a rotatable cam having a plurality of high points, and means to return the reciprocatable means to normal position each time one of said high points is passed.

13. In combination, a rotatable radio dial substantially in the form of a drum, means reciprocatable across a face of the dial to treat the same to indicate thereon the location of a station, manual means to move the reciprocatable means in one direction, and said manual means including a pin on the reciprocatable means and a cam means operable to engage said pin and move the reciprocatable means.

14. In combination, a rotatable radio dial substantially in the form of a drum, means reciprocatable across a face of the dial to treat the same to indicate thereon the location of a station, said reciprocatable means including a pin, a cam having a plurality of high points, means to rotate the cam to suc cessively bring said high points into engagement With the pin to thereby move the reciprocatable means in one direction, and

spring means acting each time a high point of the cam passes from engagement with the pin to return the reciprocatable means to normal position.

15. In combination, aradio dial, said dial divided into a plurality of zones, and means movable across one of said zones to treat the same to indicate thereon the location of a sta t on.

16. In combination, a rotatable radio dial substantially in the form of a drum, said dial divided into a plurality of longitudinally extending zones, and means movable across one of said zones to treat the same to indicate thereon the location of a station.

17. In combination, a rotatable radio dial substantially in the form of a drum, said dial divided into a plurality of longitudinally extending parallel zones, and means movable across a face of one of said zones to treat the same to indicate thereon the location of a station.

18. In combination, a radio dial, said dial divided into aplurality of zones, and slidable means movable across one of said zones to treat the same to indicate thereon the location of a station.

19. In combination, a rotatable radio dial substantially in the form of a drum, said dial divided into a plurality of longitudinally extending zones, and slidable means movable across one of said zones to treat the same to indicate thereon the location of a station.

20. In combination, a rotatable radio dial substantially in the form of a drum, said dial divided into aplurality of longitudinally extending parallel zones, and slidable means movable across a face of one of said zones to treat the same to indicate thereon the location of a station.

21. In combination, a radio dial, said dial divided into a plurality of zones, slidable -means movable across one of said zonesto treat the same to indicate thereon the location of a station, means to move said slidable.

means in one direction, and other means to move it in the opposite direction.

22. In combination, a radio dial, said dial divided into a plurality of zones, slidable means movable across one of said zones to treat the same to indicate thereon the location of a station, and means including cam means to move the slidable-means across a face of said zone.

23. In combination, a radio dial, said dial divided into a plurality of zones, slidable means movable across one of said zones to treat the same to indicate thereon the location of a station, cam means operable to move said slidable means in one direction across said zone, and spring means to return said slidable means to normal position.

24. In combination, a rotatable radio dial substantially in the form of a drum. said dial divided into a plurality of longitudinally extending parallel zones, slidable means movable across a face of one of said zones to treat the same to indicate thereon the location of a station, means to move said slidable means in one direction, and other means to move it in the opposite direction.

25. I11 combination, a rotatable radio dial substantially in the form of a drum, said dial divided into a plurality of longitudinally extending zones, slidable meansmovable across one of. said zones to treat the same to indicate thereon the location of a station, cam means to move the slidable means across the zone in one direction, and spring means to return the slidable means to normal position.

26. In combination,.-a radio dial, said dial divided into a plurality of zones, and a marker movable across oneof said zones to form a line thereon to indicate the location-of a, station.

27. In combination, a radio dial substantially in the form of a drum; said dial divided into a plurality of longitudinally extending parallel zones, and a maiker movable transversely across one of said zones to form a line to indicate thereon the location of a station.

Signed at New York, county and State of New York, this 9th day of November, A. D.

JOHN O. PRESCOTT. 

